OPINION

       Reeves's increase of ￡2.2bn does little to help the armed forces meet the threats they face (Image: Getty)

       The Chancellor Rachel Reeves today pledged to bring about “security and national renewal” with an increase of ￡2.2bn to the defence budget. On paper that sounds great, but in reality, it is akin to me committing a couple of grand towards my future midlife crisis fund and walking into the Ferrari salesroom. On both occasions, Reeves and I will be ridiculed for our champagne taste and lemonade funds.

       In defence terms, ￡2.2bn is a paltry amount, better than nothing but inadequate in the grand scheme of things and does nothing to improve the ability of our brave Armed Forces to deter and defeat our nation’s threats. The Treasury claims that it will ensure “Britain’s Armed Forces have the tools they need to compete and win in modern warfare,” but if they are lucky, it will ensure that they are able to balance the books in the next financial year rather than increasing the MOD’s ability to invest in new technology.

       British forces require significant investment to enable them to deter Putin (Image: Getty)

       Doubts remain over how much of the increase of defence spending will be spent on the much-reviled Chagos deal, Royal Navy ships remain out of service and ammunition stocks are running dangerously low.

       So while an increase of ￡2.2bn is better than the cuts set to hit many government departments, excuse me if I don’t get too excited at the imminent prospect of adequate housing for troops and battleready kit into the hands of soldiers, sailors and aviators.

       It most definitely will not be striking fear into the hearts of decision makers in Moscow.